Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-13
FREIGHTSAND P0LYGAMY
TWO BIG ISSUES UNDER FIRE IN
CONGRESS-.

CONGltESS.
The House Adopts Rando phi fuckers
Substitute for Senator Edmunds' Anti
POlygamy Bill-Sen tor Brown Cham
piOns this Cause Of the Railroads and
Attack the Cu(lom Interstate Com
merce BU'.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l2.--The Senate, al
l:l5 O'Clock to-day, resumed considera-
ton of the intersta 10 commerce bill and
was addressed by Mr.. Call VINO declared
his concurrence in the great objects of
public policy that were sought to be car
ried into effect by the original bill and by
the conference report.
Mr.. Ingalls, expressed hope that Mr..
CullOm would not insist on a vote to-day.
The debate had developed, in the press
and other organs of public opiuion, a
feeling of intense interest, and much had
been expressed which he regarded as
profitable to those who were engaged in
consideration Of the subject.
FICTITIOUS VALUATIONS.
Mr.. Call referred to the fact stated in
the WORK OF Poor's Railroad Man
ual, that the capitalization OF the rail-
roads OF the country exceeded their
actual cost by $4,000, 100000, and COM
planned that the rates charged for trans
p0rtatlon were TO pay interest and divi-
dends on this fictitious and pretended
capital. The people were now paying an
annual tax of 5000, 900, 900 on this fictitious
capital. He could see nothing IN
that (if it were permitted 10 continue J,
butruin of the republic. No regulation
interstate cOD1marpa ooul1 ba maNp
that permitted the enOrmus annual tax.
Did the conference report propose to
remedy this evil? Itdid not. On the con-
trary, it lmpliedly licensed it in failing
10 provide any remedy for it.
REASONABLE RATES.
The ''reasonable rates" sought to be
established by the bill should be treason
able rates." calculated on the amount
actually invested in the construction a nd
operation OF the railroads. II that could
not be done, then the bill was futile. de
was In favor of going much farther than
the bill went. He was In favor Of law
declaring that the only reasonable" rate
is that which permitted fair
return on the capital actually
invested in the railroads. He would,
however, vote for the pending bill, be-
cause it would accomplish no great harm,
4 out be regarded IL as no remedy for the
4 exciting evils and as no triumph for those
4 VINO desired to see interstate commerce
4 regulated. Although he would vote tor
the bill. he would prefer to have it further
4 considered Cy the conference Committee.
MR.. BROWNS OPPOSITION.
Mr.. Brown made an argument in oppo-
i sition to the bill. The two most obiec-
a tionable features OF the bill were those as
to long and short bauls, and as to pool
ing. In regard to the first the friends of
the measure differed among themselves as
to its true meaning; while It's opponents
were at loss to give it a correct inter
pretation. The section was uncertain,
indefinite and doubtful in its meaning.
He did not propose to attempt to interpret
it. No living man Knew what it's authori-
tatiYe Interpretation would be.
WHAT THE ROADS WILL DO.
AS to its practical result, however, he
had no doubt. From the very necessity
of the case railroads would be compelled
TO retain their present rates or local
freight, and to increase the rates on long
hauts, and this would very seriously
cripple the interchange of commodities
between the different sections OF the coun-
try. He mad no desire TO
predict evil, but he could not be
Bnistaken IN stating that the bill, when
Hput into operation, would derauge botn
&the internal and foreign commerce Of the
Mcountry. AS to pooling he SAID that prac-
4tiCal experience had demonstrated the
Gact that unbridled mpetitiOn always
Besulted in ruin to railroad companies,
&and TO the absolute loss Of the money in
vested in their stock, while 1t produced
mo good to the public.
5wANTs OF THE MERCANTILE CoMMU-
NIFTY.
IN What the mercantile community wanted
was reasonable transportation rates that
&ere Uniform, equal and just. Pooling
ad been found TO be the best means of
establishing reasonable rates and making
ihpm steady aud uniform. 1t pre-
Aenled consolidation and monopoly.
SbIle unbridled competition produced
both. lie instanced the case Of six
failrOad companies which now covered
1he territory between the Potomac and
1lississippi, and the Gull. Prohibition
cf their pooling arrangements would
End in their unbridied competition, and
their eventual bankruptcy, and one man
M New York could afford to pay thirty
lhllions Tor controlling interest in
fhese railroads, and tnon carry them on
es combination monopoly.
GENERAL IN EVIL EFFECTS.
The same thing would apply to other
eection, OF the country. Ths would be
2he practical working of the system. TIE
bill, il rigldly enforced. would DO more
thaG any other law ever passed by Con-
a#lress tor the destruction Of railroad
property and for the impOverishment OF
thousands OF widows and orphans
Nyhose worldly all was invested
n railroads. lie beieyed that the au-
@ hors and advocates OF the bill (if il
HAlassed as it came rom the conference
&ommittee) would have abundant rea-
Bon before SIX months TO regret iLs pass
Rge. The commerce OF the country could
bl0t be bound By iron chains, no unbend-
NJ rule OF transportation could promote
Bts prosperity. The whole country would
Mudor from such unwise Legislation.
LEGISLATIVE LEGERDEMAIN.
sir. Mitchell, OF Oregon, criticized the
mepnrt of the Conference Committee for
#ts ambiguity and indefniteness IN regard
NO the most material portions OF the bill.
Mlhe sreat body OF The people from whom
#the d mapd for legislation on this subject
#Gpme did not desire 10 be invited TO a least
Eof Legislative legerdemain. legislation
Uon the subject should be certain, specific,
Ndefn'ie, unambiguous ana lree IN lls
Nc-nsttutiou) from all feasonaole dOuDts.
While there was much in the bill that
Twas wise. reasonable and just, and not,
lin any proper sense, open TO crlu-
lcism, he felt warranted In saying
THAT never ia his experience, had he
heard 80 many different and strangely
coutradietory constructions placed upon
apy mnasure as those placed upon the